Flower of the Week - Lily - Arum lily by Georgie

Image copyright 2013 Georgie Brown 

This weeks flower will be the Lily, starting with the Arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) photographed in Perth, Western Australia by Georgie.

Arum lilies, originally from Southern Africa are popular garden plants, and commonly used in floristry. Unfortunately these plants are toxic to humans and animals if ingested, and have been declared an environmental weed in many parts of Australia.

Keep cats away from all lilies, as cats are particularly susceptible to lily poisoning - even ingesting tiny amounts of pollen can be fatal. 

Patersonia by Ann

Image copyright Ann Condon 2013

Patersonia sericea is a pretty wildflower with a distinctive mauve/blue colour, found only on the East coast of Australia.

It flowers in spring and summer, but each flower only lasts for a single day.  However, each plant will produce new flowers for an extended period.

Unusual flowers - Moonflower (Ipomoea alba) by Michelle

Image copyright 2013 Michelle Mabbott

Moonflower is a pretty climber with heart shaped leaves and white trumpet shaped flowers that open at night.  In the same plant group as "Morning Glory", it grows quickly, spreads and easily and often becomes invasive.

Unusual flowers - Shrimp (Prawn) plant by Frances

Image copyright 2013 Frances Brown

Shrimp plant (Drejerella) is of Mexican origin. It has red/green bracts (modified leaves) which are segmented, something like the body of a prawn or shrimp. The actual flower is the white and red part in the centre.

Unusual flowers - Tree begonia

Image copyright 2013 Frances Brown

Tree begonias, originally from Brazil, will flower for most of the year.  Both the foliage and the flowers are hairy!

Unusual flowers - Gymea Lily by Frances

Image copyright 2013 Frances Brown

Gymea Lily (Doryanthes excelsa) is a special Australian wildflower that only occurs naturally in the coastal region near Sydney. 

It has huge flower clusters.  This cluster was over half a metre in length.  Usually the clusters are on stems 3 - 5 metres high (and difficult to photograph) however, this one was leaning over due to the weight of the flowers, so I could get up close.  Each individual flower is about 10cm across when it opens. The excellent flowering is probably due to all the rain we had in Sydney a month or two ago.

Unusual Flowers - Bird of Paradise by Janet

Image copyright 2013 Janet Denne

Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia) is unusual because the majority of flowers types have radial symmetry (e.g. daisies), but this flower is proudly asymmetric!  These flowers are also quite large - about 15-18 cm in length.

Orchids are another group that vary from the norm in their symmetry - most are bilaterally symmetric.

Unusual flowers - Clematis by Liz

Image copyright 2013 Liz Orr

Although Clematis is not especially unusual, this variety grows as a vine, and has unusual feathery seed heads. The  bright yellow lantern shaped flowers are pretty, too

Unusual flowers - Flamingo Astilbe by Liz

Image copyright 2013 Liz Orr

Astilbe has striking long stemmed feathery plumes and flowers in Summer. The flowers may be pink, white, lavender or red. This vibrant pink Flamingo Astilbe was photographed in Duns, Scotland, by Liz

Unusual flowers - Liatris spicata by Liz

Image copyright 2013 Liz Orr

With its bright purple feathery flower clusters, Liatris is also called "Blazing Star" or "Gay feather". This plant is part of the Daisy family (Asteraceae) and is is native to North America, Mexico and the Bahamas. Photographed in Scotland by Liz.

Unusual flowers - Bromeliad by Georgie

Image copyright Georgie Brown 2013

This week features unusual flowers. This gorgeous multi coloured bromeliad was photographed in Perth by Georgie.  

Spring Blossom by Romaine

Image copyright 2013 Romaine Moss

This beautiful Spring blossom was photographed by Romaine in Tuscany in May.

Spring blossom - Plum Blossom by Georgie

Image copyright 2013 Georgie Brown 

"Red Plum" blossom photographed by Georgie.  The fruit is red, the flowers are white.

Spring blossom - Peach blossom by Frances

Image copyright 2013 Frances Brown

Spring blossom - Apricot by Georgie

Image copyright Georgie Brown 2013

Apricot blossom photographed in Perth by Georgie

Spring blossom week- Crab apple by Janet

Image copyright 2013 Janet Denne

This week is a celebration of Spring blossoms, starting with this delicate Crab apple blossom photographed by Janet.

First week of Spring - Mauve Freesias

Image copyright 2013 Frances Brown

First week of Spring - Hot Pink Freesias

 Image copyright 2013 Frances Brown

Spotted in a neighbour's garden, this "massing" freesia hybrid has multiple flowers and a wonderfully vibrant hot pink colour - but not much perfume.

First week of Spring - Purple and Gold

Image copyright 2013 Frances Brown

Purple and gold - a great combination.

First week of Spring - Freesias by Frances

Image copyright 2013 Frances Brown

Several years ago I purchased bulbs to grow these freesias in my garden.  The multiple flowers are beautiful, but sadly this variety has hardly any perfume.

First week of Spring - Freesias by Georgie

Images copyright 20123 Georgie Brown

The first week of spring - and the freesias are out, with their gorgeous perfume and petals splashed with colour.  Photos taken by Georgie in Perth, Western Australia.